Heroes of Newerth now free-to-play

The free-to-play phenomenon continues growing, as yet another online game has switched over to the increasingly popular business model. S2 Games today converted its multiplayer action role-playing game Heroes of Newerth to a free-to-play game.

As a result of the change in business model, Heroes of Newerth will henceforth feature three different types of user accounts. Those who played the game prior to its free-to-play conversion have Legacy accounts, the benefits of which include free access to all of the game's heroes and "Verified Only" games that separate the Newerth veterans from the rookies. New enlistees will receive Basic accounts that will be upgraded to Verified accounts when they have either purchased the game's virtual currency, Goblin Coins, or surpassed a playtime threshold.

Taking cues from the Warcraft III mod Defense of the Ancients, Heroes of Newerth lets players control a single hero in real-time-strategy-like skirmishes against other players and their computer-controlled minions. The game won the Audience Award at the 2010 Independent Games Festival and was nominated in the Technical Excellence category.

For more on Heroes of Newerth, check out the game's official website.